John joined the Parish Council in December 2021, and represents the North Ward. Since joining the Parish Council.

John is a member of the following groups:

Recreation and Environment Committee

Events Committee

Winthrop Gardens Committee

Wickersley Community Centre Association (WCCA)

A little more about John

"When I was 18 I was involved in a motor accident where I suffered spinal cord injuries, leaving me paralysed from my waist down and in hospital for 9 months. Whilst I was in hospital through my rehabilitation I got into wheelchair sport, having a go at table tennis, snooker, pool, bowls and wheelchair basketball. I also found my niche with the javelin and within 3 years I held the British record and kept it for many years until I retired in 2000. Through the winter months I played wheelchair basketball for our local team, the Sheffield Steelers, who to this day are the only British team to win the European cup. Alongside my playing career I also coached the younger players and beginners, taking our under 15's team to the National title in 2010.

After I retired from sport, I began my voluntary service, going onto the spinal unit wards offering the newly injured patients my advice, and stayed there for 17 years.

I recently moved to Wickersley and straight away found myself drawn to getting involved with the village bowls club, where I will be putting myself forward to get involved with fundraising as there are no ramps for a wheelchair user to get onto the green, and no buggy to enable me to play. These are just a couple of the obstacles a wheelchair user faces and is one of the reasons that inspired me to choose to join the Parish Council, to try and help improve the local environment and facilities for the benefit of all.

One thing I have noticed since I moved to Wickersley is that people actually speak as you pass in the street, which is one of the reasons I enjoy living here as I am a people person and enjoy mixing with people."